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SOCORRO, N.M., November 3, 2000 -- Marcus Chavez, a graduate of Los Lunas High School who is now a sophomore majoring in materials engineering at New Mexico Tech, recently was awarded the prestigious ASM International Albuquerque Chapter Scholarship. Chavez is the son of Frank Chavez of Los Lunas.

The scholarship award, which includes $500 and a one-year student membership in ASM International ("The Materials Information Society"), was presented to Chavez by ASM International Albuquerque Chapter chairwoman Michelle Griffith of Sandia National Laboratories.

In addition to his recent ASM award, Chavez also won first place in the undergraduate poster presentation contest at the recently held 12th Annual Rio Grande Regional Symposium on Advanced Materials. The award included a $200 cash prize.

Chavez's poster presentation was titled "Optimization of a New Low-Temperature Anodic Bonding Technique for the Packaging of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Devices."

The Los Lunas native also has conducted research in the anodic bonding of Pyrex glass to silicon wafers and the optimization of bonding processes through surface and modified glass to improve bond quality and lower bonding temperatures.

Chavez has been attending the state-supported research university under a New Mexico Tech Bronze Scholarship.

When he is not pursuing his studies and research projects, Chavez keeps himself active by participating in weightlifting, karate, baseball, softball, and playing the piano.

"Everyone at New Mexico Tech works hard, day in and day out," Chavez says. "The classwork never stops. . . . Yet, time for having fun is always found.

"For me, lab research is always better than book work," he continues, "and, one day, all this hard work will pay off."